The Journey
Exploring Our Journey: Supporting Entrepreneurs in Africa and Bridging Ecosystems Globaly
WHO WE ARE
OST is a nonprofit organization expanding access to Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship across Africa and is raising a pilot Fund targeting... Our mission is to equip emerging innovators, researchers, and underrepresented founders to solve African challenges.
Our Vision
We envision an open and enabling MEA region where entrepreneurs access world-class opportunities to drive change.
Our Mission
Our mission is to equip emerging innovators, researchers, and underrepresented founders to solve African challenges.
Pan-African Platform
Over the past 10 years, OST has built a Pan-African platform embedded in ecosystems across the continent, with strong bridges to the U.S., Europe, and GCC and a successful approach to increase the investment and market readiness of Tech entrepreneurs.
2016 - 2018
Building the Foundation in Tunisia
Open Startup began as a volunteer-led initiative, piloting its model through a local entrepreneurship program and validating the need for structured support for early-stage founders, with the support of early partners including the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Columbia University, AfricInvest, the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia, and the BIAT Foundation.
2018 - 2022
Regional Expansion and Model Testing
OST expanded beyond Tunisia, testing and adapting its approach in new contexts, notably in Morocco and Senegal, while strengthening its programmatic model through partnerships with institutions such as the U.S. Embassy and other regional and international actors.
2022 - Present
Scaling a Pan-African Model
With the support of AfricaGrow (DEG–KfW, Germany), Open Startup scaled into a pan-African platform operating across multiple countries, consolidating its programs into a hybrid model supporting pre-seed and seed ventures. The organization has strengthened its focus on market and investment readiness, with an increasing emphasis on science-driven and deep tech startups.
A Decade of Building
Our Legacy Programs
Next Chapter
The Science Road
Building on years of ecosystem building and programs like BRAIN, OST is now focusing on accelerating the transformation of scientific research into scalable, market-ready solutions, particularly in health, climate, and frontier technologies. At the core of this vision is the Science Road, a structured pathway that supports innovators from early discovery to deployment, combining tailored acceleration, strong ecosystem connections, and cross-border collaboration.
PRE-SEED TRACK
From Idea to MVP
SEED TRACK
From Traction to Fundraising
Financial Transparency
At Open Startup International Corporation, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of financial integrity and transparency. We believe that openness about our financial health is crucial for building trust with our supporters, partners, and the communities we serve. Below, you will find our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview of our financial activities and ensuring our accountability.
Explore the insights of the white paper developed by the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT. This paper is based on discussions with over 40 experts from Africa, the US, and Europe, offering a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and providing recommendations and actionable steps to foster DeepTech growth in the African context
OPEN STARTUP INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025
Partnerships That Shaped Our Journey
From local institutions to global organizations, our journey has been shaped by partners who believed in our mission and helped scale our impact across Africa.
